This week, Kenya is witnessing an unprecedented political and legal battle involving the President, Parliament, and the recently impeached Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua. After the Senate voted to remove Gachagua from office last week, his legal team swiftly challenged the decision in court, arguing that the accusations were baseless and lacked evidence.
The High Court intervened, issuing a conservatory order halting Gachagua’s replacement until October 24, just before the swearing-in ceremony of his proposed successor, Kithure Kindiki. Parliament, controlled by the ruling alliance, unsuccessfully petitioned the court to lift this order.
A panel of three judges was formed to rule on Gachagua’s impeachment, with a hearing scheduled for October 22. Gachagua’s lawyers have also questioned the process of selecting the judges for the case. As the legal proceedings unfold, this is the first time in Kenya’s history that a Deputy President has faced impeachment, sparking widespread debate on the interpretation of the 2010 Constitution.